ENDEMIC, NATIVE, INTRODUCED AND PEST FISH

ENDEMIC SPECIES

Endemic species are unique to a location. In New Zealand, our endemic fish are found nowhere else in the world.

LINKS:

Wikipedia - list of Endemic fish

Restoring Kōaro in Rotorua lakes

Freshwater fish - DOC

Selection of New Zealand endemic freshwater fish

NATIVE SPECIES

Native fish are naturally found here; however, the same species are found elsewhere in the world.

LINKS:

DOC PDF on native/endemic

Selection of Introduced freshwater fish to New Zealand waterways

INTRODUCED SPECIES

Around 20 species of freshwater exotic fish have been introduced into New Zealand. In the early 1900s, early settlers introduced salmon and trout for sport and food. Other fish have been introduced by aquariums and pond fish like goldfish being released into waterways.

LINKS:

NZ fish & game

Brown trout introduction 150 years

Pest fish

Some fish that have been introduced to New Zealand waterways are considered detrimental to either the ecology of the waterways or predators of native/endemic species.

LINKS:

lernz website - PDF

Video: Kio carp trapping

NZ plant conservation network

DOC - Freshwater pests